Dainton Strong in Debut as Falcons Earn Point
October 27, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, Mass. - Paul Dainton made 36 saves in his season debut as the Springfield Falcons (4-1-0-1) secured a point in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (4-1-0-0) on Saturday night at the MassMutual Center. In defeat, the Falcons maintained their Northeast Division lead by one point over the Sound Tigers.
After a scoreless first period highlighted by the play of Dainton and Bridgeport goaltender Kevin Poulin, Cam Atkinson sparked the Falcons' offense early in the second. The second-year pro skated into the slot and snapped a puck past Poulin's stick at 3:49, establishing a 1-0 Springfield edge.
Bridgeport retaliated with a pair of goals to take its first lead minutes later. Brandon DeFazio tipped in a Jon Landry drive with the Sound Tigers on a power play at 6:12, while Nino Niederreiter pushed in a rebound at 8:32 for the 2-1 advantage.
The Falcons faced the deficit for little time, as Tomas Kubalik rerouted a Cody Goloubef laser into the cage at 15:04, evening the contest, 2-2.
Dainton and Poulin were the story in the third period, with the two combining for 25 saves to send the contest into overtime. Springfield and Bridgeport, each playing in its first extra session of the season, could not produce a goal in sudden death, and the clubs skated to a shootout.
Atkinson and Ryan Johansen struck for the Falcons in the first five rounds, but Colin McDonald and John Persson countered for the Sound Tigers, sending the breakaway session to extra innings. Nick Drazenovic and Casey Cizikas converted in the sixth round, and then Poulin denied Tomas Kubalik in the seventh, setting up David Ullstrom's shootout-ending goal.
Dainton (0-0-0-1) earned the game's first star in allowing just two goals on 38 shots in 65 minutes. Poulin (4-1-0-1) responded from a 5-1 loss to the Worcester Sharks on Friday night with a 32-save outing.
The Falcons remain home on Sunday to welcome the Portland Pirates to town at 3:00 p.m. Sunday's game is the Falcons' "Halloween Hockey Night." Fans are encouraged to showcase their Halloween apparel as Falcons in-arena host Kevin Johnson will give away prizes to fans wearing the best costumes throughout the game. After the game, fans are invited to stick around and skate on the MassMutual Center ice. Fans must bring their own skates to participate. Single-game tickets to see the Falcons in 2012-2013 can be purchased at the MassMutual Center Box Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. through game time on Saturday home dates, and starting four hours prior to Sunday home contests. Fans can also purchase tickets by logging onto Ticketmaster.com.
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